Intro to Java vs Data Structures and Algorithms: which first?

No prerequisite is listed, and the course opens with chapters on Java and object-oriented design. But the whole course is taught in Java, so if you have never written Java, take Introduction to Java first.

Introduction to Java ends with a first look at sorting, searching, stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, trees and graphs. Data Structures and Algorithms covers them at more length, in 17 chapters and 56 instructional hours, and adds heaps, balanced search trees, text pattern matching and external memory.

They are two separate courses, each with its own NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in the lower division: Computer Science or Informatics for Introduction to Java, and Computer Science for Data Structures and Algorithms. Because they overlap, ask your college how it counts each one before you enroll.

Introduction to Java: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Computer Science among other subjects. Data Structures and Algorithms: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Computer Science among other subjects.

Introduction to Java: Computer Science or Informatics. Data Structures and Algorithms: Computer Science. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

Data Structures and Algorithms is longer by its syllabus. Introduction to Java: 12 chapters and 46 instructional hours. Data Structures and Algorithms: 17 chapters and 56 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

The format is the same in both: a final of 100 multiple-choice questions.

No: neither is on the ACE list. Introduction to Java has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Computer Science; Data Structures and Algorithms has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Computer Science. Not being on the ACE list never means not recommended for credit.

Software Engineering. In the “Software and AI” order on the Computer Science courses page, it follows Data Structures and Algorithms. Your program may set its own order.

Yes. Introduction to Java is a separate course: enroll in it alone, study it online at your own pace, and send its transcript to your college.

Take it again: a failed Introduction to Java final comes with one free retake (fail that and you restart the course). A passed final can be retaken too, but the original score stands; for quizzes, the average of your first two attempts counts.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which courses Computer Science 210 and 251 would count as. For the registrar: Introduction to Java's NCCRS recommendation lists Computer Science and Data Structures and Algorithms's NCCRS recommendation lists Computer Science.